Monitor your coding process for programming assignments.
For Students
Installation
From VS Code Marketplace:
Open VS Code
Press Ctrl+Shift+X (or Cmd+Shift+X on Mac)
Search "EditorWatch"
Click "Install"
How to Use
Get files from your professor:
editorwatch config file
Your access code (via email)
Place editorwatch in your assignment folder:
my-homework/
├── editorwatch ← Put it here (no file extension)
├── main.py
└── ...
Open the folder in VS Code:
code my-homework
Enter your access code when prompted
Code normally - you'll see 👁️ in the status bar
Submit when done by clicking the 👁️ icon
When you submit via the extension, EditorWatch also includes file snapshots for files touched during your session. These snapshots are sent as plaintext in the submission payload, compressed and encrypted on the server, and are used by instructors to verify that the files they download from an LMS/platform match the files that were analyzed by EditorWatch. You can opt out by disabling monitoring before submitting.
Troubleshooting
Extension not activating?
Ensure editorwatch is in the root folder
File must be named exactly editorwatch (no extension, no dot)
Reload VS Code: Ctrl+Shift+P → "Reload Window"
Can't submit?
Check internet connection
Verify deadline hasn't passed
Make sure you've written some code
For Professors
See the main README for server setup and assignment creation.
